Alaska (R+12) is a Republican state, but not as socially conservative as The South and sometimes elects centrist Democrats. The GOP has split into several factions here, some along political, some along personal lines. Alaska was 68% White, 13% Native American and 6% Asian as of 2010.

Status, Aug 31, 2016:
Lawyer and State Representative Lisa Murkowski (b.1957) was appointed by her father Frank Murkowski to his Senate seat when he became governor in 2002. This blatant act of nepotism made her unpopular initially, and she barely won in 2004. She lost the GOP nomination in 2010, but won in November as a write-in, with less than 40%. The Dems nominated real estate broker and former GOP State Rep. Ray Metcalfe.

Status, Aug 31, 2016:
The district consists of all of Alaska, making it over twice as big as Texas. Teacher and State Senator Don Young (b.1933) won it in a special election in 1973. He has built himself a reputation as King of Pork, but several minor incidents last cycle led to him taking only 51%, so he may be vulnerable this year. The Democrats nominated businessman and journalist Steve Lindbeck, who is fairly well known in Alaska.

STATE LEVEL

Status, May 13, 2016:
Lawyer, ex-Republican and Mayor Bill Walker (b.1951) teamed up with the Democrats’ nominee for Governor, former Juneau Mayor Byron Mallott, and knocked off the incumbent Republican in 2014 with 48%.

Status, May 13, 2016:
The Lieutenant Govenor is nominated separately from, but elected on a ticket with the Governor. Byron Mallott (b.1943) had several posts in the State administration of Alaska before becoming Mayor of Juneau. He was elected LG in 2014.